Chapter 61 CHAPTER
Chapter 61 CHAPTER
The warm water lapped against my collarbones as I sank lower in the tub, letting the heat seep into my muscles.
Steam rose in soft curls, carrying the sharp citrus tang of bergamot and the gentle floral haze of lavender.
My breathing slowed to match the quiet rhythm of the house. I stayed until the water cooled, then stood.
I wrapped a thick towel around my body, I did my bath routine and padded into the sitting room.
The cork came out of the wine bottle with a soft pop. The dark red liquid glugged into the glass, catching the lamplight in deep ruby tones.
I swirled it, inhaling dark cherry, then took a slow sip. The dry taste gripped my tongue, slightly bitter, grounding.
I settled onto the couch with my legs tucked beneath me and checked my phone again still no word from Selena. The screen stayed dark.
My phone suddenly buzzed, Alex’s name flashed on it. I answered quickly, happy for the distraction. “Hey.”
“You sound relaxed,” he said, his voice warm through the speaker. “Bath done already?”
“Just finished, pouring wine now.” I took another sip, letting it coat my mouth. “How are things on your end? Are you still buried in preparations for tomorrow?”
“Yeah, unfortunately. The gifting ceremony starts at ten sharp. Elders want the courtyard fully set by nine. Your family confirmed an 8:30 arrival- your mother, Mariah.” Alex said and paused for a second.
“Thats okay, she is still the woman who raised me.” I said.
“She’s bringing that woven blanket she’s been talking about. Says it’s for the threshold, some old tradition on her side.”
My fingers tightened around the stem of the glass. “Thats great, she spent weeks on it. I’ll meet them in the east wing first. We don’t need the packs mingling too early if tempers are still short.”
“I’ll put extra people near the gates just in case. Your father sounded steady when I spoke to him earlier, but these things have a way of shifting.” Alex paused, the line crackling faintly.
“You need anything tonight? I can send someone over with food or whatever you want.”
“I’m okay. Selena’s supposed to come by after her meetings so we can finalize the seating charts.” I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, staring at the wine’s surface.
“Get some rest yourself, Alex. Tomorrow’s going to drag if we’re both exhausted.”
“Only if you do the same. Goodnight, Ayla. Sleep well.”
“Night.” I ended the call and set the phone down. Selena must have gotten caught in another endless meeting.
I tapped out a quick text ‘Hey, you okay?’ and hit send. The screen dimmed. I walked upstairs to my room, we will just when she comes back. I just need a shut-eye even if it is one hour.
I slipped between the cool, crisp sheets, the pillow molding under my head. My breaths deepened, slow and even.
I jerked upright, chest heaving. The clock glowed 11:47. I have been only sleeping twenty minutes.
My gaze darted around the moonlit room shadows of the trees outside stretching long across the floor, the faint creak of settling wood.
Then my eyes locked on the foot of the bed.
A figure sat perfectly still on the edge of the mattress. Hood pulled up, hands resting on his thighs.
Moonlight poured through the window but seemed to vanish into the dark void beneath that hood. No face, just emptiness.
My breath caught hard in my throat. It’s him, the same man from the other day. It has to be him, how did he even get inside.
“What do you want from me?” The words scraped out shaky and thin.
He said nothing. He rose slowly, cloak hiding his face still. I scooted backward until the headboard pressed cold and hard into my spine, sheets twisting around my legs.
He approached without a sound. His hand shot forward pale fingers, unnaturally cold
and locked around my throat.
Ice burned where his skin met mine. His grip tightened steadily, thumb digging into the hollow beneath my jaw.
My pulse hammered against his palm. I clawed at his wrist, nails scraping cold flesh, but the pressure only increased. I’m gonna die here, I can’t even scream for help. Even it I do who will come to my rescue
Air thinned to desperate wheezes. My lungs burned. Black spots flickered at the edges of my sight.
I can’t die like this, not before the ceremony, before Alex, before any of it could begin.
I thrust my right hand forward, palm open toward his throat, and pushed with everything I had.
Power surged down my arm like electricity. His head snapped back. The grip on my neck loosened. Sweet air rushed in, I will never taking breathing for granted ever again.
He snarled low and seized my shoulders. The room blurred. My back slammed into the wall with a heavy thud.
Pain flared along my spine. I slid to the floor, coughing violently, each spasm tearing through my bruised throat.
Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, salty on my lips as I fought to pull air in.
“Ayla? Are you already sleeping?” Selena’s loud voice carried through the door sounding to be coming from
downstairs, bright and close.
The hooded man stood motionless a moment, head tilted. Then he crossed the room, opened the door without a sound, and slipped out.
Seconds later the door swung open again. Selena stepped inside, heels clicking sharply on the hardwood. “I got held up with the northern delegation and— Ayla!”
I stayed slumped against the wall, one hand braced on the floor, the other clutching my throat. Wheezing breaths scraped in and out. The room tilted sideways.
Selena dropped to her knees beside me, her hands hovering.
“What happened? Who did this? Oh gods, your neck, stay with me. I’m calling for help right now. Don’t close your eyes. Ayla, look at me.” She said panicking, I just wanna close my eyes for one second Selena.
My vision grayed at the edges. Her voice faded. Everything went dark.
\-----
Beeps pierced through first—steady, Antiseptic burned my nose, sharp and clean.
Stiff sheets lay against my arms. I blinked slowly. White walls, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, an IV taped to the back of my hand. I’m at the hospital.
Selena sat in the chair beside the bed, back straight, fingers twisting a paper cup.
Alex stood near the window, arms crossed tightly over his chest.
“You’re awake.” Selena leaned forward quickly. She brushed a strand of hair from my forehead, her touch light. “How do you feel? Can you speak?”
I swallowed, pain flared hot along my throat. “What time is it?” I think I should keep quiet and just sign.
“Eight,” Alex answered, stepping closer. His hand closed around mine, warm and steady. “You scared us. The doctor said you needed rest, but you’re stable now.”
“The gifting ceremony—”
“No,” Alex cut in, voice firm. “We can postpone it, everything can wait.”
I shook my head, ignoring the ache. “I want to go ahead. It’s already arranged and people are coming.”
Selena set the cup down and touched my arm. “You have marks on your neck, Ayla. Bruises. I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to stand out there like that in front of everyone.”
“I’ll wear something that covers most of it or matches the dress. It’ll be fine.” My voice came out hoarse. I just want to finalise everything and marry this man before I kick the bucket.
Selena shook her head slowly, then leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. Her lips felt cool. “Okay. But you get bodyguards, no argument.”
I glanced from her to Alex. He looked unhappy, jaw tight, shoulders rigid.
“What kind of bodyguards?” I asked. The door opened. Jon walked in, boots heavy on the tile.
“The kind that will be able to smell that bastard if he comes back,” he said.
“Okay?” I managed, throat protesting.
“Vampire guards,” Jon added. I stared at him. “Vampire guards on werewolf land? Seriously, Uncle Jon?” I don’t even know what to call him now that he my father.
He crossed his arms, expression unchanging. “They’re loyal, they’re fast. After what happened last night, we’re not taking chances with your safety. The packs will just have to deal with it.”
Selena nodded. “He’s right. I already cleared it with the elders. They weren’t happy, but they agreed when I showed them the marks on your neck.”
Alex exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I still don’t like it. But if it keeps you safe until we find whoever this is, then fine. Two of them will shadow you the whole time.”
“Thank you.” I said, squeezing his hand back. “I just want today to happen. We’ve waited long enough.”
Selena stood and adjusted the blanket over my legs.
“The doctor wants to check you one more time before discharge. Then we’ll get you ready. Your mother already called twice she’s worried but says the blanket is perfect for the threshold.”
“She’s just worried about her image.” I shifted against the pillows, feeling the pull of bruises along my back.
“Tell her I’m okay. And Alex, make sure the east wing is ready for my family. I don’t want any surprises before the ceremony starts.”
“Already handled,” he said. His thumb brushed over my knuckles. “But if you feel even a little off, we can stop everything. Promise me you will stop.”
“I promise.” My voice stayed steady despite the rasp. “Now help me up. We have a long day.”
The antiseptic smell lingered as I sat up, pulse steadying under the thin hospital bracelet.